Power-transmitting mechanism.



H. L. BROWN.

POWER TRANSMITTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, I910.

1,149,717. I I PatentedAug. 10,1915.

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rJNrrED sTATs PATENT onnroa.

HENRY L. BROWN, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 BROWN SPIN-WRIGHT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

POWER-TRANSMITTING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

Application filed January 6, 1910. Serial No, 586,681.

or similar treatment of fibers, filaments or' fibrous materials such as spinnlng frames for cotton, flax, silk and wool, although I contemplate the use of my lnvention in any field for which it is adapted by the nature of my improvements.

An important object of my invention is to provide means for gearing a metal driving band with a gear wheel the teeth of which are constituted by relatively short portions of helical threads such as are found in the ordinary feed-screw used in lathes, since such screws can be made with a minimum of expense and maximum accuracy owing to the proficiency of the manufacturers of such feed-screws, the excellent machinery available therefor, and the extended demand which makes the feed-screws a staple product. Accordingly, I have devised a band which may, and preferably will be a relatively thin and flexible strip" of metal, and preferably flat throughout its length to reduce to a minimum all sources of friction and accidental engagement with extraneous objects, following in this respect the preferred form of drivin band disclosed in my Letters Patent No. 95 ,650, granted May 10, 1910, but with this difference, viz., that by my present invention the hand drive can be employed for the positive actuation of a regular gear wheel, in contradistinction to a special form of sprocket-wheel as in the form of my invention disclosedin the aforesaid patent, a form completely successful in its own wide field and by which was made possible for the first time the positive actuation of the spindles in a spinning frame by a metal band. 7

In carrying my invention into effect, I prefer to form the rotatable member or gear wheels of my improved power-transmitting mechanism by cutting short sections from a cylindrical feed-screw havmg, say, three peripheral threads of suitable pitch and cross-section, 120 apart, circumferentially, and dressing the lateral faces of the pinions thus formed so that the ends of the helical teeth are terminated by surfaces parallel with the plane of rotation of the pinion and leaving such a lateral margin of the annular hub portion of the pinion that when two pinions are assembled co-axially, the adjacent ends of the threads on the pinions will be held apart by a substantial space. Each pinion, so constructed, will comprise three helical teeth bodily inclined laterally foreand-aft relatively to the plane of rotation, and preferably the three teeth will together completely embracev the 360 of periphery for the sake of smooth continuity in operation, although I do not limit myself to the use of teeth subtending any specific circumferential arc, nor of any specific pitch, or number, except as found necessary for the particular installation in any given case. So also the number of pinions, or equivalent gears, and their arrangement, is immaterial, and may be varied to suit diverse contingencies, as for example in providing spindles for a spinning frame with gears, two helical pinions may be secured to the periphery of the spindle with their teeth oppositely inclined, to avoid undue thrust co-axially by reason of the inclination of drive surfaces laterally fore-and-aft of the direction of actuative engagement of the band and helical teeth; also the separation of the teeth of the two pinions by the width of the hub margins, as hereinbefore suggested. and the staggered arrangement of the teeth on one pinion opposite the spaces between teeth on the other will make possible the use of a band having a substantially continuous medial web lengthwise, between the band apertures which receive the teeth, thus strengthening the band greatly, and also promoting smoothness of operation by reason of the total absence of sharp points in the band, which is constantly being flexed as it runs around the Pulleys, and would deteriorate under the bending stress on such points. These band apertures may be substantially straight, inclined bodily across the direction of movement of the band, and with parallel drive walls, and will preferably have end extensions substantially parallel with the direction of movement, in

the helical teeth even after the drive walls of the band apertures shall have become worn by actuative engagement with the helical teeth, and this feature of my invention I regard as applicable to any form of lengthwise acting member in which it may be embodied, the separation and staggered relation of the teeth in 'a herringbone gear being a cognate feature of generic novelty and i w:- .11..

Another important object of my invention is the provision of an improved sprocket wheel of the typehaving peripheral actuating pins or'studs, my improvements being directed toward the adaptation of this type for use with a flat metal band run substantially tangent to the periphery of a studded sprocket wheel of small diameter. The earlier forms of such sprockets being wholly incapable of use with such a band, owing to the entire absence heretofore of any provision to insure progressive continuity of positive actuation with rotating members of such small diameter as. the whirl of a spindle. In carrying into effect this portion of my invention, make.the studs movable radially, mounting them preferably in peripheral sockets, and ar-. ranging them so that under'the action of centrifugal force they are protruded radially, and ressed into the apertures of a band suita 1y constructed to receive the studs, of which there are preferably two or more parallel peripheral series in staggered relation to increase the number of points of actuative contact and thus maintain the continuity of action. This may be furthered also by forming the outer extremities of the studs with rounded contour, and the studs may have body slots with retaining pins transfixing them, to limit the outward play of the studs under the centrifugal action, but not interfering with inward movement of the studs, which retire into their sockets if their sprocket stops, while-the band continues to pass.

Among other noteworthy objects of my invention is the provision of a novel coupler to ermit the connection of spindles and them actuating whirls for co-rotation at times, and their disengagement at will without interfering with continued rotation of the whirl, special attention being paid to the frictional initiation of rotation of the spindle, preparatory to subsequent automatic couphng for positive co-rotation when the speed of the spindle approximates that of the whirl sufliciently to avoid shock, for which purpose I may provide somewhat flexible irregularly' spaced prongs on one member to enter corresponding pits in the other member after the preliminary frictional engagement of the prongs with a suitable face part.

Still other objects include the provision of a bolster capable of receiving different types of actuating whirl and spindle; permitting considerable co-axial displacement therebetween; also a novel oil-bearing for shell-spindles.

The various be illustrated and described fully infthe accompanying drawings and specificationand set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,Figure 1 illustrates in 'vertical section a s indle and spindle rail in the construction 0 which myimprovements have been embodied, showin also in somewhat diagrammatic form 51c system for the circulation of oil in acordance with my features of my invention will invention; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of a spindle shell like that shown in Fig.1,

but with a slightly modified form of sugporting post, the parts being shown rea y or assembly; Fig. 3 is a plan view, looking from bottom to top of the spindle proper Fig. 4 shows infront elevation a fragment *of the driving band, in the construction of scale of an endless metallic band with pulleys and motor indicated diagrammatically,

and a considerable number of -spindles as.

they would be found in a spinning frame along one rail, and in a spinning and twist-. ting frame along the other rail; Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation, illustrating'a modified form of spindle and sprocket wheel; part of this figure being broken away to 'reveal interior construction, the coupler also bein shown; Fig.- 7 is a fragmentary view in out elevation of the band for the sprocket-wheel shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a plan view looking from top to bottom of the sprocket wheel of Fig. 6, taken separately, and showing the coupling recesses;

Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation, similar.

to Fig. 6, illustrating a modified form'of spindle and spindle-gear; part of this figure being broken away to reveal interior construction, the coupler also being shown.-

In the embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and description to enable ready and complete understanding of my improvements, the part desi ated by the numeral 1 is a power transmitting memher, which may be the driving or driven member in power transmitting apparatus where it is employed, and in the instance illustrated may be considered as the driving band for a series of spindles in a spinning frame, substantially as indicated on a reduced scale in Hg. 5, wherein the spindles bear respectivel the numeral 2, while the numerals 3 an 4 designate respectively a suitable driving pulley, and the. driving illustrated in Fig. 1, separate from the rail;

pins or teeth with, which it may be provided, and 5 is an electric motor connected by a belt 6 to a pulley 7 mounted on a shaft 8 which actuates the driving pulley 3, the numeral 9 designating an idle pulley around which the other loop of the endless belt may run. The pulleys, motor power and other parts may be of any suitable and convenient construction and. considerable variation may be had in the construction of the driving band, which in accordance with my invention is provided with means to be engaged positively with a rotatable member for the progressive actuation of one of said members by the other member, and as one convenient form of such means I prefer to provide the band with driving surfaces 10 inclined laterally fore-and-aft relatively to the length of said band, and these surfaces may conveniently be formed in the manner illustrated, as the walls of apertures through the band, the latter being of any suitable material, such as a fiat endless ribbon of steel, secured suitably at the joint, as by welding or brazing. The contour of these apertures may vary in accordance with the requirements of particular installatlons, and for many purposes the form illustrated 1n Figs. 1 to 5 will be found most convenlent, these apertures being such as to recelve and cooperate with the threads of screw or spiral worm, gear or sprocket wheels such as that shown at 20, best seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the numeral 21 designating the threads or teeth of the sprocket wheel, the same being shown in Fig. 1 in position engaged with the band, entering the apertures thereof and cooperating or in a position to cooperate with the walls 10 thereof. The numeral 30 designates a similar sprocket wheel provided with teeth 31 of spiral form similar to those shown at 21, but of opposite pitch, and arranged in staggered relation thereto,

' so that the end of each tooth on one of the wheels comes opposite the space between two of the teeth on the other wheel, the teeth 21 being preferably somewhat removed from the ends of the teeth 31, suitable means being provided to maintain the wheels in this relation, and to support them in position upon the device with which they are to rotate. As a convenient form of such means I have shown a hub or sleeve 40 upon which the wheels may be secured in suitable fashion, as by shrinking, with set screws 22, 32 eitheror both, or as found suitable in accordance with the exigencies of particular installations. The band apertures are best seen in Fig. 4, where they are arranged in double lines diverging from the middle of the band, along which is preferably left a continuous web 12, for the sake of strength, and to avoid sharp points, which might be detrimental to smoothness of operation if the apertures on opposite sides were in communication at their adjacent ends. This form of hand may be run in either direction, with equal facility, and may be the driving or driven member. I prefer to have the double series of apertures, oppositely inclined, but it is not essential to my invention to have such a plurality of rows of inclined surfaces 10, the double arrangement serving :ulvantageously, however, to )alance the coaxial thrust upon the band due to the inchnatlon of the surfaces 10 engaging wlth the inclined surfaces of the teeth 21, 31. The

February 5, 1912, the same having been di-- vided from my present application.

My improved metallic band drive may be used to drive spindles of the types now in use, such as that illustrated in Fig. 6, and designated by the reference numeral 301,

thespindle there shown being of a type well known in silk-spinning, upper blade to receive the bobbin 302 which is maintained in place by a collar 303, the latter being separatelyformed or integral with the spindle, as found most convenient in the particular installation, this form of spindle being usually tapered also toward its feet 304 where it enters a suitable bolster or supporting member 305 the body 306 of which may be threaded, and a flange 307 provided, to-facilitate its firm attachment in adjusted position upon a suitable rail (not shown). Preferably when such a bolster is used, it will be constructed with an upwardly extending neck or bearing portion 308, shown in Fig. 6, to serve as a bearing for a sprocket-wheel-hub 309, the latter constituting one convenient form of rotatable member, to be engaged peripherally With a driving be coupled with the spindle for rotation of the latter, the hub 309 preferably bein of annular form with an axial bore 310 iest seen in Fig. 8 (on a somewhat smaller scale) to receive the neck 308 and be seated snugly for rotation thereupon. The hub 309 may have actuating projections of the spiral type illustrated in Figs. 2 and 9, or of any suitable type, the type shown in Fig. 6 being one convenient form of construction, a' double series of actuating studs 312 mounted to move radially in recesses or sockets 313, suitable means being provided tolimit the movement of the studs in the slots, and their projection beyond the periphery of the having a tapered band of suitable form, and to comprismgpins 314 assing thro h the material of the hub rom its flat aces, and entering slots 315 in the shanks the studs, the pins being in their turn held-5n :place by Suitable means preferably, suchaas 'the facelates 316, fastened by screws 317- (see Fi 8 the face-plates being preferably an ar, with a central aperture'of a size suitable to admit a bushing or extension 318 which may be formed integrally with the material of the hub, or separately therefrom preferably extending beyond'each face 0 the hub when a face-plate is provided at each end.\'

tively within the apertures of a suitable sprocket band, such as the metal band 319, shown in Fig. 7, having a plurality of series 320 and 321, of apertures, staggered to facilitate continuous'engagement of the band with the wheel studs. The movable arrangement of the studs 312 facilitates prompt entrance into the band apertures 319 and 320 by reason of the steady centrifugal pressure, and if for any reason-the hub 309 is stopped, the studsretire into their sock-' ets under the action of the band, allowing the latter to pass freely past the studs.

In order to permit withdrawal of the spindle when desired, without disturbing the" hub 309, which maybe left in its position of engagement with the band 319, rotating freely under the action thereof, I have devised a form of coupling which is of general utility in its adaptation to various types of spindles and their whirls, including the types shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 9. A simple form of this coupling device comprises somewhat flexible prongs 401 upon one of the ro tatable members constructed so as to enter pits or recesses 402 in the other member, the prongs being on the spindle in the instance illustrated, and. consisting of wires about an inch long extending through the collar 303; while the pits 402 are formed in the upper face-plate 316 of the sprocket-wheel, and in the face of the sprocket wheel itself, as best seen in Fig. 6, where a portion of the periphery of the hub, etc., is broken away to reveal the free end of one of the prongs 401 in engagement with the wall at the far side of the recess 402. Preferably the pits 402 will be deep enough, and the prongs 401 will be long enough, to permit some coaxial play of one relatively to the other without disconnection, as both the' spindle and the s rocket-wheel are liable to such occasiona co-axial displacements. The number ticular installations,- and I have found it advantageous. to arrange them at somewhat uneven distances around the face of the hub,

so that when the spindle is dropped into the aperture 310 the prongs 401 will not enter the pits 302 immediately,'but. will be engaged with the face-plate 316, and the friction between the prongs and face-plate will cause the prongs and their spindle to rotate, with the face-plate,but at a lower speed, until the speed of the spindle approximates that of the sprocket wheel, when the prongs will drop into the pits, and the sprocket wheel will actuate the prongs and their spindle at the same rotative speed of the sprocket wheel as long as theconnection continues. The prongs 401 may, and prefer- 'ably will, be made of flexible wire, so that there will be little shock to the apparatus when the spindle is dropped on the rapidly rotating sprocket wheel. The prongs are shown as straight, but may be of any suitable contour, and maybe set directly in the spindle blade instead of in a collar thereof. The face-plate 316 may be of hardened metal to withstand the frictional wear of the prongs. arrangement specifically in my present application, as the same forms the subject of claims'in my copending application, Serial No. 594,960, divided from this application and filed November 30, 1910.

I have shown in Fig. 1 a form of spindle described more at length in my Letters Patent No. 987,546, granted March 21, 1911, to which reference may be had, and accordingly it will sufiice for the purposes of my present application to describe very briefly the general features of this spindle, inwhich the lower part a of the rotatable shell a is the equivalent of the 'hub member 40 in Fig. 2, already described, and on which the whirls 20, 30, are mounted, with their helical teeth 21, 31, in position to be driven by the metal band 1. Preferably a suitable means will be provided to hold the band 1 up to its work, as for example guide-posts, such as that shown at a screwed into the rail 6 at suitable intervals. The blade of the spindle a is shown as provided with a bobbin I, and a designates a supporting post extending upward axially within the socket of the shell a and provided with a bearing sphere a and a bearing bushing a to be engaged snugly with the shell, the sphere having an axial bore a to pass the post so that the sphere may rotate freely between the post and the shell, the bearing surfaces at this region being indicated bythe reference characters a, a The member a is a bushing having a bearing surface a .Whichis engaged with the lower surface of the sphere a, and this bushing has an axial bore a oil collecting in the container B to such a to pass the post a and is secured adjustablyr the container B. The container may have 0 within the mouth of the shell by a threaded;- o1nt a", screws a being shown to fasten it in adjusted position, for which purpose the heads of the screws enter recesses a in the shell, best seen in Fig. 3. A spring a is shown, to hold the bushing a snugly up against a bearing surface a in the shell, and the shoulder a of the post 0, serves as an abutment for the spring while a washer a is shown as interposed between the spring and the part a of the bush a the latter rotating freely between the shell surface a and a wear sleeve a held in place by the swaged over tip a of the post a The supporting post a is provided with a channel 7 through which a suitable lubricant, as oil, may be introduced to the upper bearing a and lower bearing a also to the teeth 21, 31 through ports f, the excess of height as may be found suitable, as for example that indicated at b, whence it may be withdrawn by a pipe 7 and forced by a pump 7 through a pipe f to an overhead tank F, passing thence by a supply pipe 7 to the channel f of the Post a to whlch the coupling f furnishes a connection, so that recurrent circulation of oil may be maintained.

The parts above designated are, and preferably will be, in general as described and claimed in my aforesaid Patent No. 987 ,546, but may vary to suit the varying requirements of diverse installations. The reference characters (fi -a designate one such modification also described in my said patent.

In accordance with an important feature of my invention, I provide means to maintain a sufiicient upward pressure on the oil in the channel 7 to sustain the weight of the spindle, bobbin, etc., on an oil film F constituting an oil bearing between the u .per surface of the post a and the surface of the shell socket there above, and in order to insure this pressure by positive means, I have shown the tank F as rovided with a closure F so that the desire pressure may bemaintained in the pipes f, f, f, by the pump f.

The spindles indicated at 2 in Fig. 5 may be mounted on any suitable rail, by which term I designate broadly their support, without any technical limitation, and a suitable form of rail is shown at b, in Fig. 1, the spindle a. being secured thereto by nuts 6 and the rail being shown as secured adjustably by bolts 1) passing through slot into brackets b fastened to the side walls of a cover as at D.

Having described my invention thus fully and suitable means by which the same may be carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific materials and structural details selected for illustration and description herein, nor in general otherwise than as set forth in the claims read in connection with this specification.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A spinning spindle, having a plurality of oppositely inclined, helical, peripheral teeth thereupon, in staggered relation to each other, and separated co-axially; substantially as described.

2. The combination with a spinning spindle having a part constituting a hub; of a plurality of annuli each having peripheral, helical teeth, the inclination of said teeth being opposed on neighboring annuli, said annuli being mounted on said hub part.

3. A shell-spindle; an axial support therewithin; a universal bearing on said support within said shell and on which said spindle rotates; and a helical gear surrounding the periphery of said shell at the region of said universal bearing, said gear comprising a plurality of series of helical teeth, the series being separated from each other, and one series containing teeth of opposed inclination to the teeth of said other series, and arranged in staggered relation thereto; substantially as described.

4. The combination with a spinning device having a member provided with helical driving teeth, of a driving band geared to said teeth, said band having apertures entered by said teeth.

5. Aspinningmember having helical teeth to be engaged actuatively with an apertured driving band, said helical teeth being constructed and arranged to enter the apertures of said band.

6. Spinning apparatus; comprising a plurality of spindles having respectively members provided with helical driving teeth; and a driving band having individual driving surfaces geared to said teeth.

Signed at New York in the county and State of New York this 21st day of December, 1909.

HENRY LIBROWN.

Witnesses:

ALEXANDER C. PRoUnFrr, Joan B. Wmz'rwonrn. 

